“Yay.” Dara clapped her hands as Dean dropped onto the couch beside her, drink in hand. “Time for our Christmas Eve gift. Amara? Why don’t you start?”
During the drive home later that night, Jake seemed pensive, drumming idly on the wheel, sending occasional glances my way.
“Sorry for the end run on Sari’s gift. I shouldn’t have given it without your agreement. I overstepped.”
Jake lifted my hand, transferring it to his knee. “Except she freakin’ loves it, and those games are amazing. So thank you, but”—he looked my way—“next time, let’s discuss it first.”
The tires crunched across the fresh snow as Jake pulled up in front of his house. He peered over the seat at Sari, her mouth moving slightly as she slept. “Hope she doesn’t wake up.”
“I’ll get the bag and the door, you get her. If we’re quick, she’ll sleep through it.”
He nodded and slid out of the car, moving to unbuckle Sari.
I gathered her bag and pulled out the key as I hurried toward the house. This had started to feel so domestic, our little family coming together seamlessly as we exercised our teamwork.
Jake followed me through the door, toddler draped over his shoulder as he kicked off his boots and headed down the hall.
Immediately, I turned the lock and shed my boots, snagging her stuffed bunny from the bag, tiptoeing down the hall and into her room.
“I wonder what she’s dreaming about,” I whispered, placing her bunny beside her. “Snowball fights? Tía’s apple pie? Cuddling with Daddy while he reads stories?”
“I’d bet it’s about the hugs and love from her family.” Jake moved behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I have something else I want for Christmas.”
“Your gifts are under the tree.”
“There’s one you could still give, but it’s a big one.” His embrace tightened. “I want you to adopt Sari. Be her mom.”
“Really?” My heart felt even fuller, if that could even be possible.
Jake pulled me from the room, turning me toward him. “Before you answer, take some time to think about it.”
“Why would I need to think about it? I’ll be her stepmom, fully involved in her life. Adoption isn’t much different.”
Jake shook his head. “It’s entirely different, and with the in-law’s family dynamics, it might be a total shit show. You’ll be front line in the war zone.”
“Surely it won’t be that bad.”
“Don’t count on it. The ring alone will set off fireworks. They’ll be taking Sari tomorrow afternoon, and I want to introduce you. Are you ready for that?”
I nodded. Really, how bad could it be? They’d have to accept his decision to move on, and they couldn’t prevent me from adopting Sari if it was what Jake wanted. Though I hadn’t considered the option, instinctively I knew this would be good for all of us, giving both Jake and Sari some much-needed security.
Chapter 25
His words were prophetic as my ring did set off some fireworks, but not with the parties he imagined.
Just after seven, when Luci called on video chat, Jake set his laptop on the coffee table and answered, holding Sari on his lap while I hovered just out of camera range.
“Hi, Sari!” Luci signed smoothly as she spoke, pausing while the little girl signed back. “Precious girl, you’re so big. Wow, and your signs are so good. Tía Luci has been taking lessons, just like you.”
“The improvement’s noticeable, right?” Jake grinned as Sari wiggled from his lap and beelined for the tablet sitting on the end table.
“It’s incredible. You absolutely have to bring her to Vancouver. I miss you guys.”
“I wish you were here.” Jake blew a kiss to his sister. “Did you talk to Tía?”
“She’s my next call. You’re going to Dean’s today? I heard the amazing news about Dara.”
Sari headed my way, waving her new gadget.
I crouched and helped her open one of the games we’d downloaded the night before.
“What’s that noise?” Luci asked as Sari tapped at the screen, eliciting sounds from her game. “Did you guys open a gift last night?”
Jake nodded. “Sari got a tablet with some educational games.”
“Fancy. Who’s that from? Auntie Dara, perhaps?”
“No, Amara bought it for her.”
“Why would she buy that for Sari? Is she in Halifax?”
“She’s moving back in January.”
“Why? She’s already messed up your life. You should send the thing back.”
I kept my head down, focussing on the bright colours on Sari’s screen.
“Luci—”
“Stay away from her, Jake. She’s poison. I can’t watch you go through that again.”
“I appreciate your concern, but you’re wrong.” Jake looked at me, then back at the screen, his lips set in a firm line. “She’s here, and she wants to talk to you.” He beckoned to me.
I gnawed my lip, shaking my head at Jake.
“Like … she’s there, in your house, listening to our conversation? Are you for real?”
“It’s totally real. We’re getting married.”
“Wait. You and her? Have you lost your mind?” Her tone dropped. “No. I won’t. Not after what she did.”
Jake bowed his head, fingers steepled against his forehead.
“She hung up on you.”
“Yup. Don’t worry. She’ll calm down.”
“She hates me,” I whispered. “I thought she was okay, you know? During the wedding, and after the Sari thing in Vancouver, she seemed like she wanted us together, but then it all fell apart.”
“She’s confused, but she loves you.” He pulled me in for a hug. “She gets like this when her feelings are hurt. Give it time, and she’ll be okay.”
“Will she? It seems that Luci’s hidden her anger at me for what happened when I left.”
“It was tough on her. You were the big sister she never had, and she was rather pissed at me too. Eventually, she got on with it and forgave me. She’s hurt, but beneath all of that, she loves you and
